Door chime and wicket mechanism



June 19, 1956 M. TALL 2,750,920

DOOR CHIME AND WICKET MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1FIG. I FIG. 2 3? INVENTOR.

Murry Toll ATTORNEY J1me 1956 M. TALL 2,750,920

DOOR CHIME AND WICKET MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet- 2INVENTOR.

Murry To ll ATTORNEY June 19, 1956 M. TALL 2,750,920

DOOR CHIME AND wxcxm' MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3FIG.6 75 FlG.7v

INVENTOR. Murry Tull BY ATTORNEY June 19, 1956 M. TALL 2,750,920

DOOR CHIME AND WICKET MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4' YMurry Toll ATTORNEY June 19, 1956 M. TALL DOOR CHIME AND WICKETMECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 8, 1952 FIG FIG. 20

/ I I 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII FIG INVENTOR.

M u rry Tu ll ATTORNEY DOOR CHIME AND WICKET MECHANISM Murry Tall, NewRochelle, N. Y.

Application September 8, 1952, Serial No. 308,430,

17 Claims. (Cl. 116-141) The present invention relates to an improveddoor chime and wicket apparatus for installation directly on the door ofan apartment or other dwelling.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide an improveddoor chime structure which is capable of being operated by a push or apull, as by means of a button which can be depressed, or by a knocker orthe like which can be swung away from the door to exert a pull on thechime-operating mechanism.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a chime mechanismwhich can be operated either by a push or pull and without in any waychanging the operating mechanism, other than the replacement of thefingerengaged push element by the pull element, or vice versa.

A further and important object of the invention is to provide amechanically operated chime mechanism wherein damping of the chime barsby the striker following impact is prevented by a spring acting on thestriker.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide amanually operated push-pull door chime which is characterized bysimplicity of construction, compactness, and reliability in operation.

Still more specific objects of the invention are to provide in a chimestructure, an improved mounting for the striker; to provide a chimestructure operable from a manually movable member which can be pushed inone direction or pulled in the opposite direction, and in which bothchime bars are sounded during the pushing or pulling of the manuallyoperated member and its return movement; to provide a chime structure soconstructed-as to produce a minimum of noise from the movement of itsoperating parts; and to provide a chime bar operating mechanism of sofew metallic parts that they can all be struck from the metallic baseplate of the chime structure.

The present invention contemplates further the combination of a doorchime, particularly one of the type above indicated, with a door wicketor peep hole wherein the chime structure and wicket structure havecertain parts in common, whereby a simplified and cheaper combinedstructure is obtained.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description thereof.

The invention will be further described in connection with the attacheddrawings illustrating several satisfactory embodiments of the inventionby way of example. In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational view of the chime mechanism, showingmovable parts in normal positions, the cover being removed; Fig. 2 is aside elevational view of the chime bar operating mechanism with thechime bar broken away for the most part to avoid obscuring the strike,together with the manual actuating means therefor; Fig. 3 is a frontelevational view of the shield, mirror and knocker; Fig. 4 is afragmentary side elevational view of a door showing partly the chimemechanism housing,

States Fatent O Patented June 19, 1956 ice which incorporates one formof wicket, mounted on the inner surface of the door, and the shield andknocker mounted on the outer face of the door; Fig. 5 is a rearelevation of the upper portion of the interior of the chime mechanismhousing, showing the wicket and its operation; Fig. 6 shows afragmentary rear elevational view of the chime mechanism, with themovable parts in the positions assumed when the first of two chime barsis struck by the striker in response to a pushing movement of theoperating link, as from the outside of the door by means of apushbutton; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the chimemechanism, corresponding to Fig. 6, with one chime bar broken away toshow certain moving parts; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevational viewof the chime mechanism showing movable parts in positions assumed whenthe first of two chime bars is struck by the striker in response to apulling movement of the link, as from the outside of the door, by meansof a knocker, a pullknob, or the like; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sideelevational view of the chime mechanism, corresponding to Fig. 8, withone chime bar broken away to show certain moving parts; Fig. 10 is anelevational view of another type of wicket structure suitable foremployment with the present chime mechanism, the view being taken fromthe inside of the door; Fig. 11 is an obverse elevational view of thissame wicket structure; Fig. 12 is a section along the line 12-12 of Fig.11; Fig. 13 is a largely diagrammatic side elevational view of thecomplete structure, embodying the wicket of Figs. 10 to 12; Fig. 14 is arectilinear perspective view of a yoke adapted to actuate the chimemechanism striker in response either to a pushing or pulling movement ofa link passed through an aperture of the door; Fig. 15 shows a preferredstructure for preventing damping of the chime bars; Figs. 16 and 17 showa top plan and an end view, respectively, of mechanism for controllingthe tone of the chime bars, while at the same time eliminating stopdevices for limiting the throw of the striker; Figs. 18 and 19 show,respectively, an external and inside view of a gravity-controlledshutter for the wicket; while Fig. 20 is a section along the line 20-20of Fig. 19.

The drawing illustrates different forms of combined chime and wicketstructure adapted to be mounted on the door of a dwelling or the like.The signalling element to be operated by a caller at the outside of thedoor may be a knocker, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a push button, asshown in Fig. 7, or any other suitable pull or push device. Inaccordance with one of the features of the invention, the chimemechanism may be operated either by a push or a pull and withoutalteration of the operating member or of their relationship. Common tothe illustrated forms of the invention are the exterior peephole shieldor face plate, and dark mirror, the link passed through the door, andthe chime mechanism.

In the drawing, wherever shown, the door is designated 10, the peepholewindow 11, the aperture for the link, 11a, and the link itself, 12. Theshield is designated 13, the dark mirror 14, and the entire chimemechanism 15.

A preferred manner of preparing a door for the installation of theapparatus of the invention is that of boring or fly-cutting a relativelylarge window for the peephole and boring or otherwise providing arelatively small aperture beneath the peephole to accommodate the link.See particularly Fig. 2. i

A typical appearance of the installed invention, as seen from the outerside of the door, is best illustrated in Fig. 3, which is a frontelevational view of the shield 13, having, in this instance, astirrup-type knocker 16.

The manner in which the apparatus, in either form, is mounted on a dooris best seen in Fig. 2, wherein the door 10, the shield 13, the darkmirror 14, and the knocker 16 are shown in section according to theplane 22 of Fig. 3. A side elevation of the chime mechanism isincorporated in Fig. 2, the nearer of two chime bars 17 and 18 beingbroken away to expose certain parts. Here the housing 19 of themechanism lis'shown partly broken away and .partly in section. This formof housing, the upper part of which is shown, together with part of thedoor, and the shield and knocker, in Fig. 4, is provided with a wickethaving a peephole 2t) seen in Fig. which shows the interior of the upperpart of the housing .19. The wicket-aperture 20 is normally covered by agate or shutter 21 pivotally mounted on the inside of the housing at 22.Slidably mounted in the upper part of housing 19 is a push bar 23, whichis spring loaded, as at 24, to maintain it normally in the solid lineposition of Fig. 5. A pin 25 extending from the shutter 21 is freelyreceived in an aperture 26 provided in bar 23. When the end 27 of bar 23is pressed in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 5, the shutter 21is rotated from the position shown in solid lines to that shown indot-and-dash lines, and accordingly uncovers the wicket opening. Uponrelease of the bar 23, the spring 24 returns the shutter to closedposition.

As can best be seen from Fig. 2, the knocker 16 associated with thewicket is connected by link 12 which passes through aperture 11a, withthe chime mechanism 15.

The shield is preferably a die casting, and is provided, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3, with a central square window 23 which is covered on theinner side of the shield with the dark mirror 14 (Fig. 2). Above window28 is a slot 29 for an apartment number card 30, the card being visiblefrom the front of the shield through a smaller window 31. Beneath window23 is a slot 32 for a name card, not shown, but which, when in place,may be seen through another window 33.

The stirrup type knocker 16, shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 is pivotallymounted on the shield by means of ears 34 which are received freelywithin sockets 35 provided at the sides of the shield. Provided on therear of the handle 36 of the knoeker is a lug 37 having an aperture 38extending from top to bottom thereof. The link 12 is provided at itsforward end with a fork 39. The tines of this fork may be bentdownwardly and upwardly in aperture 38 to connect the link 12 to knoeker16.

The chime mechanism is shown in rear elevation in Figs. 1, 6, and 8, andin side elevation in Figs. 2, 7, and 9. In the last named figures, chimebar 17 is partly broken away. Figs. 1 and 2 show the mechanism with themovable parts in normal position. which are fragmentary, show themovable parts in the positions assumed when chime bar 13 is beingstruck. Figs. 6 and 7 show the mechanism operated by a pushing action onlink 12, while Figs. 8 and 9 show it operated by a pull on such link.

The chime mechanism is almost wholly constructed of a base plate 4%) andof elements struck from said base plate, as will be best understood fromFig. 1.

Chime bar 17 is supported by cars 41 and 42 struck up from the base, thebar being insulated from the ears by suitable rubber washers 43. Chimebar 18 is supported by similar ears 44 and 45 also struck up from thebase, this bar also being insulated from its supports by similar rubberwashers 46. The first chime bar struck is 18.

Pivotally mounted at 47 on a bridge member 43, which may be spotweldedor otherwise suitably secured to the base 40, is a striker bar 49 onwhich, near its free end, is mounted a chime bar striker head 50, whichmay be made of nylon or other non-metallic material, such as fiber andthe like. The striker head 50 may be constructed of two separate parts,one for each chime 'bar, or it may be formed of a single member,preferably a plastic rod having a reduced cross section intermediate itsends,

and around which is rolled a holding member 50a struck Figs. 6, 7, 8 and9,

from the body of the striker bar, the member 50 fitting snugly about thestriker head, the shoulders of which prevent axial movement of thestriker head relative to the striker bar, due to impact between thestriker head and a chime bar. Of course, the material of the striker maybe varied in accord with the character of the sound desired to beproduced.

On both sides of the striker bar are cars 51, which are bent downwardly.Mounted on an ear 52, which is struck up from the base, is a rubberbumper 53, situated midway between the chime bars beneath the strikerbar. One or another of the ears 51 engages this button to resilientlyoppose movement of the striker bar and limit the duration of contactbetween the striker head and a chime bar, as the striker bar swingsbetween the chime bars, to prevent damping of the sound. The cars 51 areadjustably flexible and may be so bent as to predetermine the positionsat which the rubber bumper 53 begins to oppose the movement of thestriker bar. Accordingly, the angle of the ears 51 governs the forcewith which the striker head engages the chime bars, and therefore theintensity of the sound produced. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that thestriker head is not quite in contact with chime bar 17. The striker baris here shown in normal position, .to which it is returned by theresilient buffer 53 after striking the bar 17.

The mechanism for imparting a snap action to the striker bar 49 will nowbe described.

Pivotally mounted at 47 above the striker bar is a bell crank 54 havingthree legs 55, 56, and 57. A spring 58, connected between car 41 and leg57, normally maintains the bell crank in the position shown in Figs. 1and 2.

Pivotally supported on arm 55 of hell crank 54 at 59 is an arm 60 whichextends to, and freely through, a slotted ear 61 which is struck upwardfrom the striker bar. Mounted on arm 60 is a compression spring 62, thefunction of which is described below.

On the side of the bridge member 48 is pivoted a yoke 63. This elementis shown alone in rectilinear perspective in Fig. 14. The legs 64 and 65of the yoke are bored in alignment at 66 and 67 respectively toaccommodate a suitable mounting pin 67a, which is also passed throughthe sides of the bridge member 48. See Figs. 2, 7, and 9. Leg 64 isprovided with a dog 63, and leg 65 is provided with a dog 69 angularlydisplaced with reference to dog 68. Normally, dog 68 is in engagementwith arm 56 of bell crank 54, and dog 69 is in engagement with arm 57 ofthe bell crank, as shown in Fig. l.

The legs 64 and 65 are bent toward each other and are spaced only asmall distance apart at the upper end of the yoke, as shown in Figs. 1,6, 8 and 14. A small tongue 70 is struck from leg 64, as best seen inFig. 14. The link 12 is provided on its rear portion with a series ofholes 71, and is connected to the upper portion of yoke 63 by beingpassed between the legs thereof, and, depending upon the thickness ofthe door, and consequently upon the effective length of link required,the tongue 70 is pressed inwardly, as by pliers, so that the free endthereof passes through one of the holes 71, and serves pivotally, tosecure the link.

As'thc link is pushed, as by a push buttoi as shown in Figs. 7 and 13,or pulled, as by the knockcr 16, the yoke is oscillated in one or theother direction. if the rink is pushed, the yoke is moved as indicatedin Figs. 8 and 9.

Dog 69 of leg 65 of the yoke then rotates the bell crank 54 againcounterclockwise by moving against arm 5'1. in both cases therefore, thebell crank is rotated in the same direction. As the bell crank 54 isthus rotated counterclockwise from the position of rest shown in Fig. l,the angle between the arms 55 and 69 wilt increase with the simultaneouscompression of spring 62, while at the same time spring 58 will beplaced under tension and energy thus stored therein.

As the parts 55 and 60 pass dead center, the spring 62 will swing thestriker bar 49 clockwise with a rapid, snap action, and the striker head50 will impinge on the chime bar 18. As soon as this happens, spring 58will rotate the bell crank 54 clockwise and when arms 55, 60 again passdead center, from the opposite direction, the compressed spring 62 willswing the striker bar 49 counterclockwise with a rapid, snap action tocause striking of the chime bar 17 Each operation of the link 12 ineither direction, will thus produce an identical operation of thestriker bar 49, and both chime bars will be struck in rapid successionand in the same sequence.

Bridge member 48 is provided with flanges 48a on either side of thecenter-line of the mechanism. When the yoke has been rotated a certaindistance, either in response to a push or pull on the link, the obliqueedges of legs 64 and 65 engage these flanges squarely and preventfurther rotation of the yoke.

The base 40 of the mechanism is preferably of sheet steel, and is ashallow, rectangular pan as illustrated. A window 72, provided in theupper part of the base corresponds to window 28 of the shield which isclosed by the dark mirror. Screw holes 73 are provided for screws 74 bymeans of which the chime mechanism and the shield may be rigidlyconnected together through the peephole window 11 (Fig. 2). Other holes75 are provided for other screws 75a by means of which the base may besecured to the inner surface of the door.

It will be seen in Fig. 1 that the bridge member 48 has been struck fromthe cut out 76 of the base 40; the striker bar 49 from the cutout 77 andfrom part of the window 72 (note the dotted lines within the window);the bell crank 54 from the cutout 78; the arm 60 from the cutout 79; theyoke 63 from the cutout 80; and the link 12 from the cut out 81. Theadvantages to be gained from forming most of the chime mechanism from anoriginal single sheet of metal will be apparent. Of course, the chimebars, required to be vibratile and of specially hardened metal, must bemade separately.

The housing 19 is fitted over the mechanism and its base, flush with thedoor, and may be secured to the base in suitable manner. One of thescrew holes 32 for this purpose is seen in Figs. 2, 7, and 9.

Fig. 13 illustrates, somewhat diagrammatically, another form of theinvention. The essential difference between this form and that firstdescribed is in the chime mechanism housing and the wicket structure. Inthis figure, part of the door is seen edgewise, and there is alsoillustrated the shield 13, a push button 83 (which, of course,

may be identical with that shown in Fig. 7), the chime mechanism(indicated in dotted lines), a modified housing 34, and a modifiedWicket structure generally designated 8:5.

The chime mechanism housing 84 diifers from the first described housing19 in that it is constructed to cover only the actual chime-producing,mechanism, and not also the top portion of the base 40, and consequentlyincludes no wicket, the latter structure being independently mounted onthe base.

The wicket structure 85 of the combination illustrated in Fig. 13 isshown in detail in Figs. 10, ll, and 12. The window 72 of the upper partof the base, which is in registry with the peephole window, the darkmirror, and the window 28 of the shield, is covered by a flanged dome86, the flange 87 of which is provided with screw holes $8 for screws,not shown, for securing the dome to the upper part of base 4%. Apeephole 89 is provided in the dome and is normally covered by a gate orshutter 90 pivotally mounted on the inside of the dome.

Owing to the shape of the dome, the shutter 90 is in the form of asegment of a hollow sphere. A rivet 91 passed through one end of theshutter and through the wall of the dome near its flange 87, is rigidlysecured on the outside of the dome to a lever 92, adapted to bedepressed by the finger of the occupant of a dwelling inside the door,to move the shutter and expose the peephole. On another and oppositelydisposed rivet 93, passed through the opposite end of the shutter andthrough the wall of the dome near its flange, is mounted a spring 94,which normally holds the shutter in closed position, and returns itthereto when pressure of the finger on the lever 92 is removed.

The operation of the apparatus in any of its several forms describedabove will be apparent from the foregoing, and it will be apparent thatby the present invention there is provided a chime mechanism which maybe actuated to produce a like sound pattern in response to either apushing or a pulling action on the part of the caller on the outside ofthe door. Either a push button or a pull knocker or the like, may beemployed to operate the link 12, and no charge whatsoever in theinternal chimeproducing mechanism, or any change in the arrangement ofparts, will be required in employing the mechanism for push or pulloperation.

Where a knocker, such as 16, is provided, in place of a push button, thechime mechanism may be operated either by a push or a pull on the link12 by the knocker. It will also be apparent that the front end of thelink 12 can be attached to a pull knob or the like.

Fig. 15 shows my preferred mechanism for quickly withdrawing the strikerbar from contact with each of the chime bars 17 and 18, after the chimebars have been struck, in order to prevent damping of the sound.

As shown, the mechanism comprises a spring 95 connected at one end ofthe striker bar and at the other end to a bolt or screw 97, which passesloosely through a standard or bracket 96 which may be struck from thebody of the base plate. The threaded stern of the screw is threaded intothe spring and also passes through a threaded nut 98 which bears againstthe bracket 96. I have found that the threading of the screw into thespring provides a reliable interlock there between and upon adjustmentof the screw 97, the spring 95 can be lengthened or shortened andthereby its tension varied, in order to regulate the depth of tone inthe sound emitted by chime bars 17, 18. If desired, the spring can besecured to the screw in more positive fashion, as by soldering, or byperforating the screw and passing an end of the spring through theopening, in the same manner as with the striker bar 49. By the use ofthe spring 95, the use of the bumper 53 and tongues 51, or of stopdevices, is eliminated.

Figs. 16 and 17 show a modification of the structure of Fig. 15 forcontrolling the tone emitted by the chime bars, while at the same timeeliminating the necessity for bumpers, stops, or the like for limitingthe throw of the striker bar 49. In the form of the invention, shown inFigs. 16 and 17, the bracket or post 100 which may be struck and bentupwardly from the base plate 99, is provided with a threaded aperture101 through which passes a threaded rod 102. The rod is provided with afixed collar 103 and at the outer end thereof there is provided a knob104. The near end of the knob is provided with a plane surface whichforms a shoulder against the unthreaded portion 106 of the rod 102extending between the knob and the collar 103. The adjacent wall 107 ofthe casing, which fits over the base plate 99, is provided with akeyhole slot 109 through which the knob 104 is adapted to be passed whenthe casing is assembled on the base plate, the rod section 106 enteringthe reduced end of the keyhole slot as the casing is lowered onto thebase plate.

The free end of the threaded portion of the rod 102 is received withinthe adjacent end of a spring 95, whose other end is secured to thestriker bar, as shown. The spring receives the threaded end portion 102in the manner of a nut, and as the rod is rotated in one or the otherdirection, it either enters further into the spring or partly withdrawstherefrom. As a result, the effective length of the spring 95 is varied;when it is lengthened, by withdrawal of the rod 102, the tension in thespring 95 is reduced, the resistance to the oscillation of the strikerbar is likewise reduced and a stronger tone is caused to be emitted bythe striker bars; while entry of the rod 1% for a greater distance intothe spring 95, causes reduction in the etfective length of the spring,thereby increasing the tension therein and the resistance to themovement of the striker bar, so that the latter strikes the chime barswith a weaker blow and a softer tone is produced.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the end wall ofthe casing is caused to act as a stop to lit the movement of rod 162 inboth directions. When the casing is in position on the base plate 99,the unthreadcd portion 1% of the rod will pass through the reduced endof the keyhole slot 109, and the end wall 167 will be disposed betweenthe inner end of the knob Mid and the collar 1%. As will be readilyunderstood from Fig. 16, the end wall 197 will be engaged by the innerend 195 of the knob or by the collar 1% to limit the movement of the rod192 in one or the other direction, respectively. striker bars can beeasily regulated at will from outside the casing. It will be evidentthat the distance between the knob end 195 and the collar 103 is sodetermined that the threaded end of the rod at no time becomesdisengaged from the spring. To ensure further against such anoccurrence, this spring can extend to close proximity to the bracket orpost 190.

The casing 1&3 shown in Fig. 16 is preferably prov ed at its upper endwith a wicket device shown in Figs. 18 to 20. The front wall 115 of thecasing is provided with a peephole 116 bounded by the inwardly bent flanes 118. The peephole is controlled by a gravity st cr 117 which normallyis positioned in front of the opening 516 and is controlled by a fingerpiece 11) having two extensions 11% and 11912 which serve as stops forlimiting the swinging movement of the shutter, as shown in. Fig. 19. Theshutter is pivoted on a pin or rivet 125? which passes through the frontwall 115 and is struck down thereover. The pin or rivet is provided witha central portion 1243a on which the shutter 117 is fulcrumed and at itsinner end has an enlarged head 12% against which the adjacent face ofthe shutter bears. The shutter is provided with a guide finger 121 bentfrom the body of the shutter and bearing against the near face of thewall 115 to ensure proper positioning of the portion 1171) of theshutter with reference to the flanges 138 defining the peepholc. As willbe seen from Figs. 19 and 20, the portion 117 of the shutter is bentinto a different plane from the portion 117a which is pivoted on the pin120.

it will be evident from the foregoing that upon pressure of a fingeragainst the fingcr piece 119, the shutter will he lifted to expose thepeephole, the part 13% limiting the swinging movement of the shutter.Upon release of the finger piece 119, the shutter will drop by gravity iinto closing position. being controlled in such movement by the portion119a of the finger piece.

{ claim:

1. A door chime device comprising sound producing means, mechanism forstriking said sound producing means for causing the emission of sound, amanually operable member, and a connection between the manually operablemember and the striking mechanism for causing the emission of sound fromthe sound producing means when said manually operable member is moved ineither of two opposite directions and while all of the operating partsof the device remain connected in the same manner, said operatingmechanism including a rocking lever and means for engaging the leverselectively from opposite directions at oppositely spaced points withrespect to its fulcrum to cause rotation of the lever in the samedirection when engaged upon the one or the opposite side thereof.

2. A door chime device comprising a pair of spaced chime bars, a strikerbar pivotally mounted between Thereby the tone produced by the saidchime bars, and means for oscillating the striker bar on its pivot toeffect sounding of the chime bars, and including a rocking lever havingtwo arms extending in opposite directions, an operating memberengageable with said arms at opposite sides of the fulcrum of the leverand at opposite sides of said arms, whereby the rocking lever is rotatedin the same direction whether engaged at one arm or the other, andmanually operable means connected to said operating member.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the operating membercomprises a yoke having spaced arms provided with longitudinally spacedprojections straddling the fulcrum of the rocking lever and engageablewith the opposite edges of the arms as the yoke is moved in one or theother direction.

4. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the striker bar and therocking lever are coaxially pivoted, and means for ciiiectingoscillation of the striker bar by a snap action.

5. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the striker bar and rockinglever are coaxially pivoted, said rocking lever including a third arm,an arm pivoted to said third arm and forming a reversible toggletherewith, and an overthrow spring associated with the toggle andoperating to swing the striker bar by a snap action when the togglepasses dead center.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, including a return spring of reaterstrength than the aforementioned spring and adapted to return thestriker bar to its original position.

7. A device as defined in claim 2, including means for pivotallysupporting the yoke member, a base plate associated with the yokemember, said yoke having a portion concentric with its pivot and adaptedto roll on the base plate as the yoke member is oscillated, and also aflat portion connecting with the concentric portion adapted to bestopped against the base plate as the yoke reaches one of its limits ofmovement, whereby said yoke and base plate are in continuous contactduring the oscillation of the yoke member and mechanical noises areeliminated when the yoke member reaches a limit of its movement.

8. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein the manually operable meansincluding a link provided with a series of apertures for theaccommodation of doors of different thicknesses, and wherein the yokemember has a tongue struck from the body thereof and adapted to bepressed into one of the apertures to secure the yoke to the link.

9. in a door chime device, the combination with a pair of chime bars, ofa striker bar pivotally disposed between the chime bars, means forswinging the striker bar in opposite directions with a snap action, anda striker head of rod-shaped form composed of plastic material andsecured to the striker bar and adapted directly to engage the chimebars.

10. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein the striker head is ofreduced intermediate cross-section, and a tongue struck up from the bodyof the striker bar and embracing the striker head at the intermediateportion, said tongue engaging the shoulders defining the intermediateportion and thereby holding the striker head against longitudinaldisplacement.

ll. In a door chime device, the combination with a pair of chime bars,of a striker bar pivotally disposed between the chime bars, means forswinging the striker bar in opposite directions with a snap action, astriker head composed of plastic material secured to the striker bar andadapted directly to engage the chime bars, a buffer member of resilientmaterial associated with the striker bar, and ears extending from thestriker bar and arranged to engage the buffer in succession as thestriker bar is oscillated, said ears being adjustable.

12. In a door chime device, the combination with a pair of chime bars,of a striker bar pivotally disposed between the chime bars, means forswinging the striker bar in opposite directions with a snap action, andmeans for quickly withdrawing the striker bar from contact with thechime bar, to prevent damping of the sound, and comprising a spring anda fixed element anchoring one end of the spring, the other end of thespring being connected to the striker bar.

13. In a door chime device, the combination with a pair of chime bars,of a striker bar pivotally disposed between the chime bars, means forswinging the striker bar in opposite directions with a snap action, andmeans for quickly withdrawing the striker bar from contact with thechime bar, to prevent damping of the sound, and comprising a spring, abracket, a threaded bolt mounted on the bracket and connected to one endof the spring, the other end of the spring being connected to thestriker bar, whereby adjustment of the bolt eifects variation in thetension of the spring.

14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein the bolt passes looselythrough an aperture in the bracket and is provided with a nut bearingagainst the bracket.

15. In a door chime device, the combination with a pair of chime bars,of a striker bar pivotally disposed bebetween the chime bars, means forswinging the striker bar in opposite directions with a snap action, andmeans for quickly withdrawing the striker bar from contact with thechime bar, to prevent damping of the sound, comprising a coil springconnected at one end to the striker bar, a bracket having a threadedopening therein, a threaded rod threadedly engaged with the said openingand threaded into the other end of the said coil spring, said springresisting movement of the striker bar in opposite directions, theadjustment of said threaded rod operating to vary the eflective lengthof the spring between 10 the rod and the striker bar and therebyregulating the tone of the sound emitted by the chime bars.

16. A device as defined in claim 15, wherein the rod is provided withspaced stop elements thereon, said device having a casing adapted in itsassembled condition to interpose an end wall between said stop elementsto act as an abutment limiting the adjustment of the rod in oppositedirections.

17. A door chime device comprising sound-producing means, mechanism forstriking said sound-producing means for causing the emission of soundand comprising a single striker bar having a unitary striker headthereon, means for supporting said striker bar for movement in oppositedirections, means connected to said striker bar for etfecting initialmovement of the same in one direction and against the sound-producingmeans, a manually operable member movable in opposite directions, and aconnection between the manually operable member and said last-mentionedmeans for moving the striker bar in said one direction when saidmanually operable member is moved in either of its directions ofmovement and while all of the operating parts of the device remainconnected in the same manner.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS152,925 Sparks July 14, 1874 224,268 Berkey Feb. 10, 1880 2,412,978 FishDec. 24, 1946 2,465,655 Miller Mar. 29, 1949 2,472,372 Fish June 7, 19492,472,382 Miller June 7, 1949 2,549,157 Auth Apr. 17, 1951

